Opposition Lowdown: Barnsley Looking To Do Double Over Reading

Form

Barnsley finished last season smack bang in mid-table, sitting 12th in the league, five places behind Reading. This campaign marks their fourth straight year in the third tier, having been relegated from the Championship in 2022, after finishing bottom of the league.

They currently sit 15th in the league, four places and three points behind Reading. Their recent form has been relatively poor, having seen one win, one draw and three losses in their last five games.

They do however come into this weekend’s game off the back of a 2-1 home win against Blackpool. The Tykes beat the Royals back in September, winning 3-2 at Oakwell after goals from Josh Earl, Davis Keillor-Dunn and Adam Phillips.

The boss

Conor Hourihane: Hourihane was appointed Barnsley head coach on a permanent basis in April last year, taking over from Darrell Clarke, who was sacked after nine months in charge of the Tykes.

The Irishman had a 15-year career as a player, plying his trade as a centre midfielder who represented the likes of Plymouth Argyle, Barnsley, Aston Villa and Derby County. Having played for the Tykes between 2014 and 2017, Hourihane returned to Barnsley as a player coach in June 2024.

He retired as a player later that year and became Clarke’s assistant. He had a six-game spell as caretaker manager following Clarke’s dismissal last March, before being offered the job on a permanent basis.

The former Republic of Ireland international was a leader on the pitch during his playing career and likes his side to play high-energy, pressing football. The 34-year-old has won 16 of his 42 games in charge of Barnsley so far, giving him a win percentage of 38%.

Squad

Barnsley have signed three players so far during the winter transfer window with defender Eoghan O’Connell joining on a free transfer, goalkeeper Owen Goodman arriving on loan from Crystal Palace, and winger Charlie Lennon being bought from Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee.  

The Tykes will be without captain Luca Connell who serves the final game of his three-match ban, following his sending-off on New Year’s Day. Defender Marc Roberts and forward Davis Keillor-Dunn are expected to return to the matchday squad, but forward Fabio Jalo will miss out through injury. 

Predicted lineup

Goodman, Watson, O’Connell, Roberts, O’Keefe, Ogbeta, Bland, Kelly, Phillips, Cleary, Keillor-Dunn

Key player

40. Davis Keillor-Dunn: Forward Keillor-Dunn joined Barnsley in August 2024 from Mansfield Town for an undisclosed fee. He spent time in the youth setups at Newcastle United, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and eventually Ross County.

It was at Ross County where he signed his first pro deal, making his debut for the club in 2017. He went on to make 46 appearances for County before moving to Wrexham in 2020. Keillor-Dunn joined Oldham later that year, staying at the Latics for two seasons, scoring 28 goals.

A move to Burton Albion followed where he spent a year and a half, before then joining Mansfield. He won promotion to League One with the Stags in 2024 and was named in the League Two team of the season.

Since signing for Barnsley the 27-year-old has scored 33 goals, with 14 of those coming this season, making him the club’s top scorer. Keillor-Dunn can play as a centre-forward, out wide or in the number 10 role and is a good finisher who is very comfortable on the ball.

One to watch

19. Reyes Cleary: Forward Cleary joined Barnsley last summer, signing on a free transfer following the end of his contract at West Bromwich Albion. It was at the Baggies where he started his career and he signed his first pro deal with the club in 2021.

Cleary went on to make another six appearances for the Baggies, while also spending time on loan at Walsall and Hartlepool United.

Since joining Barnsley in the summer, the 21-year-old has made 26 appearances for the club and has had 14 goal contributions (five goals and nine assists). He also picked up the EFL young player of the month award in November last year and has been capped by England at under-19 level.

Cleary is a pacey and skilful forward who typically plays on the wing.